What is a prototype?

A prototype is a preliminary model of something. Projects that offer physical products need to show backers documentation of a working prototype. This gallery features photos, videos, and other visual documentation that will give backers a sense of what’s been accomplished so far and what’s left to do. Though the development process can vary for each project, these are the stages we typically see:

Proof of Concept

Explorations that test ideas and functionality.

Functional Prototype

Demonstrates the functionality of the final product, but looks different.

Appearance Prototype

Looks like the final product, but is not functional.

Design Prototype

Appearance and function match the final product, but is made with different manufacturing methods.

Production Prototype

Appearance, function, and manufacturing methods match the final product.

Prototype Gallery

These photos and videos provide a detailed look at this project’s development.

About

We had a dream. We wanted to build an IoT device that improves the safety in our house and respects our freedom. A device that allows us legally to modify and extend it to our own needs. And is not just bunch of ugly cables and Printed Circuit Boards(PCB) but has the look and feeling of a finished device made with love.

We couldn't find such an IoT device; therefore, we gathered a small team of passionate professionals and in the last year and a half we built U:Kit. U:Kit is a sensor kit that has motion detection, smoke detection and WIFI functionality, and you can extend it by either programming it or downloading new firmware for it.

The goal of this campaign is to gather enough funds to continue the development of U:Kit and foster a community around it until it becomes self-sustained.

In return we will release all components needed to produce and run the device as open source. We are 85% ready and need your support for the remaining critical 15%.

What will a backer get from this Kickstarter?

As a backer you’ll get early access to all major components needed to build an elegant Internet-Of-Things device. You will be the first to get updates, bug fixes, a voice to suggest a new feature or improvement. And, if you are willing to pay more, one day of training to kickstart the IoT development in your company.

We will produce tutorials and documentation to get you started. U:Kit is a long term project and maintenance and improvements will go beyond the end of this campaign.

The source code will be released as open-source right after a successful campaign so that you can start exploring and improving U:Kit without delays.

Create beautiful IoT devices with ease

Using U:Kit you will be able to create beautiful Internet of Things devices with ease.

Creating a PCB with some sensors is easy. Creating a new ready-to-use device from scratch is something completely different. It is time consuming and expensive process. And requires skills in multiple areas as programming (embedded and Web services), hardware design, mechanical model design and manufacturing. We already invested that time and money and would like to help you start creating your IoT devices on top of U:Kit.

U:Kit - a powerful sensor kit

U:Kit is a sensor kit that can help you improve the safety and security in your house while allowing you to modify and extend it to your own needs.

U:Kit is easy to assemble, has a plastic case, and can be attached to the ceiling and used with minimum efforts also from non-technical savvy people. But that is just the tip of the iceberg.

U:Kit features

U:Kit can be used out of the box to track movement or detect smoke in your house. While not a certified motion or smoke detector it can be used as a capable companion. Out of the box U:Kit will work similar to a smoke detector and will raise an alarm if a smoke is detected.

But what if you wanted more? Even without software or a hardware knowledge with the help of a mobile phone you will be able to change the mode in which U:Kit is working and make it act similar to a

(Mode: Smoke) this is the default mode in which the device can detect smoke and signal an alarm without connecting to Internet.

(Mode: Alarm) similar to the previous mode plus at the same time the device will detect motion.

(Mode: Smart Alarm) the device detects smoke or motion and informs you immediately via Internet about the changes in your house

(Mode: Smart Protection) device detects smoke or motion and silently informs you about them via Internet.

Change modes / Update firmware

The video below demonstrated how to "own" a device and change its mode. Take a look at it if you want to learn mode.

U:Kit is more

But what if you wanted more? We made sure that U:Kit is not only easy to assemble and attach on the ceiling but also easy to reprogram. Even if you are not a programmer. When U:Kit is using one of the Internet-connected modes you can change its firmware over the air and add new proven functionality that we did not originally thought about.

U:Kit is freedom

But what if you wanted more? We made sure that U:Kit is also easy to program directly. The whole sensor kit is designed in such a way that you have easy way to program the available microcontrollers without having to solder/desolder components. And last but not least we will provide you with the software that we have used so that you can build on top of it and make your dreams come true :)

Last but not least, the original firmware will have an experimental feature that allows even small kids to extend its functionality using an embedded and powerful JavaScript engine.

Technology

Hardware Specification

Software

Along with the release of the components needed to build a physical U:Kit unit you will get access to the software needed to run it. That software is listed below.

Bootloader for Attiny.Allows updating the firmware of the Attiny microcontroller.

Main Sensor application for Attiny.

Advanced application for ESP8266 based on Sming Framework.

Built-in JavaScript Engine.The JavaScript engine will allow you to extend the functionality of U:Kit without the need to know Assembler or C/C++

Secure Over The Air updatesThe latest version of your firmware will be fetched over a secure channel from our servers. You can also enjoy using firmware developed from other users for U:Kit

Reset to Factory Defaults.If something goes wrong you should be able to reset to the factory default firmware and continue to use your device.

The current U:Kit state

The schemas, software and 3D designs are ready for mass production but before we do this we would like to test the device with a broader group of early adopters, enthusiasts and supporters. We would like to create a community around it and have initial funds to keep improving U:Kit. And this is our goal for the current Kickstarter campaign.

The development started a year and a half ago. And we did multiple iterations before we reached the current state. We went from the initial idea to selecting the components and software followed by multiple test prototypes until we reached the current state which will help us a high quality product that is close to a consumer one with a lot more possibilities than other kits with similar features in the market.

The devices was presented to a group of people that tested it and loved it and we would like to share our awesome U:Kit with you.

Timeline

We have come a long way and now we are on the finish line to deliver our great U:Kit to you.

Below is the detailed timeline.

July 2016 U:Kit was bornThe idea was born.

Oct 2016 Initial hardware prototyping The components were selected and we created the first PCBs to test our ideas.

Apr 2018 Software, PCB and 3D designs releaseRelease the software and the PCBs to the supporters.

Apr 2018 Community WebsiteWe will start building community website that will allow developers and users to get the best of U:Kit and know how it works.

Oct 2018 ConsultingAt around that time we plan to deliver our training sessions to companies and groups that are interested in U:Kit, its features and ways to extend it.

March - April 2019 Preparation for ProductionWe plan to visit companies in China that can help us start mass production of the device.

May 2019 Initial BatchFirst mass produced devices.

The team

Our team consists of a software engineer, a hardware guru and a star designer.

The team: Slavey, Cviatko and Ilian

Slavey Karadzhov is the software engineer and the main driving force behind this project. Long time supporter of Free Software and the open source and hardware movement and creator of (local) communities around it. Working since quite some time in the software industry and contributing to multiple free/open source software projects to make them more useful and improve their quality.

Cviatko Delchev is our hardware guru. Working with hardware since his early years he creates industrial hardware devices that are smart, functional and rock solid. Assembler programming for him is "high-level" programming.

Ilian Milinov is our star designer. Actually a four star Red-Dot award winner, something like four times Oscar winner, and he was the one to built the U:Kit external design as part of his passion and desire for designing beautiful and useful (Io)Things.

Why We Need Your Support?

We have been working on U:Kit for the past year and a half and we've come a long way. But now we need your help. Your support will allow us to enhance the software so we can make U:Kit available to you - the initial batch of early adopters who want to improve their home security. Let's make our houses safer and more secure, our devices smarter and contribute to the whole community with devices that respect our freedom to use and modify.

So why should you support us?

Because you care about privacy and freedom and projects that foster a whole ecosystems of devices that respect them too while being useful.

Be the first to help us in doing so. And get the best experience while improving your house safety (and we mean it).

With your help we will release major components as open source. So that you can improve the hardware, the software or even the box. Adapt it to your needs. Impress your colleagues, use it for your garage or vacation house. The possibilities and unlimited.

Where will the funds be used

Covering the current costs

Improving the PCBs and the software in the device

Creating an open source community around it.

Below you can see a details cost breakdown

Thank you!

Thanks to the people who have supported us through the trials and tribulations of starting our own sensor kit. There are too many to list, but here's a start: Weilerfilm e.K, Stuttgart (Video) and especially Gudrun and her faithful assistant Axel, Pavel Ivanov (superb mechanical design), Shackspace Stuttgart, Germany, Hackerspace @ BetaHouse Sofia, Bulgaria and special thanks to Mircho Mirev, Todor Karadzhov (hints in all possible areas), Radoslav Kolev (hardware hints and initial hardware tests), Clark Everetts for proofreading and editing and last but not least to our families, who we love quite a bit (and we're sorry for working all the time).

Risks and challenges

This campaign that does not include mass manufacturing of a hardware and thus does not have the logistical challenges associated which other hardware Kickstarter campaigns face.

Releasing the software and the mechanical components needed to build the device may take a bit of time to clean-up the current state but we don't anticipate big delays here as we already have the bulk of the working code and any improvements can be done also after a successful campaign as in any community supported project.

For "Meet the Team" and "1 day training" there are possible risks that are no different than any other consulting engagement, and may result in postponing the meeting.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge €69 or more
About US$ 77

Name a version

All of above and the right to code-name one software version after your name or your suggestion. The name of the version should be negotiated between you and us beforehand. You can decide which version you would like to be named after you. If there are more than two participants willing to name a specific version under their name then we will decide using randomness.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge €5,000 or more
About US$ 5,565

1 day of training (in Europe)

Quick-start your development with a full-day workshop in your office, for a group of up to 6 people. Every participant will receive a fully working U:Kit. And together we will show you how to prepare your environment for programming the U:Kit and changing its firmware to do amazing things.

Please note that travel costs and accommodation are not included in this reward.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge €5,000 or more
About US$ 5,565

1 day of training (outside Europe)

Quick-start your development with a full-day workshop in your office, for a group of up to 6 people. Every participant will receive a fully working U:Kit. And together we will show you how to prepare your environment for programming the U:Kit and changing its firmware to do amazing things.

Please note that travel costs and accommodation are not included in this reward.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge €8,500
About US$ 9,461

Original equipment manufacturer

If you would like to produce U:Kit we will add you to the wall of certified producers for 2 years, will give you 1 day of training and will demo U:Kit using the physical devices produced in your factory.